An Activist Life

Former Greens leader Christine Milne tells her story through 18 objects, interweaving the personal and political to recount a truly inspirational life. An Activist Life is the story of an apparently ordinary woman – a high-school English teacher from northwest Tasmania – who became a fiery environmental warrior, pitted against some of the most powerful business and political forces in the country.

In it, Christine Milne tells her story through the objects that have symbolic meaning in both her personal and political life, from the butter pats in her kitchen that represent her journey from farm girl at Wesley Vale to environmental and human rights activist at the national and global level, to the Pride t-shirt she wore walking in Mardi Gras next to her son, after years of fighting for the legal reform of gay rights in Tasmania. She describes how politics actually works: the deals, the promises kept and broken, the horse-trading and treachery involved in some of the most controversial and difficult issues of our time, including the attempts to forge a workable and effective climate change policy for Australia, and our treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.

This is a fascinating insider’s account of what it means to be a woman in politics: the sacrifices of family life and relationships, the relentless misogyny and sexism that must be endured, the gritty conviction that you must never, ever give up the pursuit of the greater good. It is the story of Australian politics and the fight to save the world, and essential reading for anyone who cares about either.

Reviews

‘A woman, a mother, a fighter. A heart-warming inspiration for all who want to make a real difference in this world.’ Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

‘Christine is a force to be reckoned with, a woman to laugh with and a great mentor. Her deep love for nature, concern for the climate and care for people is best expressed in her tenacity, hard work for decades, and little things like pots of homemade apricot jam. Read this book if you want to be inspired to back yourself and work for a better world.’ Larissa Waters, former Greens Deputy Leader

‘Christine Milne is a powerful champion for the planet and a world-renowned pioneer in Green politics. She has shown the way for many of us, and continues to inspire Greens around the world. Her story is compelling.’ Caroline Lucas MP, Co-Leader, Green Party of England and Wales

‘Christine Milne has always been much more than an activist. She has long been a powerful inspiration to me and countless thousands of other Australians because of her relentless fight against greed, environmental destruction, war, discrimination and political corruption. Christine Milne will never lose her humanity. She is incorruptible.’ Peter Cundall, author and previous presenter of Gardening Australia

‘Christine Milne is one of the world’s most important environmental voices; to have the story of where she came from and how she has fought her many battles is a great gift, one which will inspire all of us to fight harder and smarter.’ Bill McKibben, founder 350.org